Packaging Innovations Approaches!

Stuart PritchardJanuary 11, 2019

The UK’s largest annual event for the whole of the packaging supply chain, Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print, will return to Birmingham’s NEC for its 14th edition on the 27 & 28 February 2019, with plenty on offer for retail professionals.

The two-day event will welcome over 300 suppliers, displaying the most cutting-edge innovations in packaging and offering more product launches than ever before. Alongside the packed exhibition floor, the show will also host a free-to-attend, educational seminar programme, which will feature six sector specific forums, including the dedicated Retail Forum. The seminar programme will welcome a host of high-profile speakers, which includes representatives from Coca-Cola, Marks and Spencer, Iceland and WRAP.

James Drake-Brockman, Divisional Director of Easyfairs’ Packaging Portfolio, comments: “Retailers are under increasing pressure from consumers to create sustainable packaging, without compromising on quality or style, so we are thrilled to welcome so many suppliers offering plastic alternatives and sustainable packaging solutions to the showfloor. With so much planned for this year, Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print 2019 promises to offer buyers and retailers the perfect platform to immerse themselves in the latest solutions and discover new trends and developments that could have a major impact on their business.”

Suppliers on Show

Innovation, design and functionality are, as always, at the core of the show, with many companies planning to unveil new products live on the showfloor. For example, Scandolara Eco will be showcasing its new sustainable PE materials, including Green HEART, which has been designed to save up to 40% of virgin materials. Meanwhile, Plasfilms will be launching its new range of bio, single layer laminate replacements and films containing 30% recycled content.

Automated Packaging Systems will be using the show to launch several new bagging and labelling products, including the Autobag® 600 and the AutoLabel™ 600.

Astro Nova will be showcasing its new CMYKW printer – the first of its kind in the industry. This innovative technology allows direct printing onto coloured materials, such as black polyester and silver paper, by utilising a digital 5-colour toner with 1200 dpi resolution.

As the only ink manufacturer at the show, Pulse Roll Label Products will be showcasing its flagship UV flexo ink system, and offering live PureTone colour matching on-stand demos.

Packaging Innovations has also announced a new partnership with Industrial Pack, the only dedicated show for industrial, transit and protective packaging, for the first time in 2019. This collaboration will see a new ‘industrial zone’ introduced, which will showcase leading industry suppliers. For example, Cog Containers will debut its new Cog drum, designed and manufactured to overcome the inherent problems of standard drums on the market.

Also exhibiting at Industrial Pack will be Nittel which will launch its new vessel liners, designed to offer greater protection for large containers up to 1,500 litres and provide a clean interior for the vessel surface.

Show Content

In addition to the packed showfloor, Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print will host a robust, free-to-attend seminar programme. The seminars will offer visitors an unrivalled opportunity to hear about the latest trends, best industry practises and cutting-edge techniques from leading names in the packaging industry.

The Keynote Stage will feature a dedicated Retail Forum, alongside sector-specific forums for the food, drinks, pharma, beauty and e-commerce industries, whilst the Innovation Stage will showcase the hottest new trends and technologies available. Further to this, the Ecopack Stage will address the industry’s most contentious issue – sustainability. Following its debut at the 2018 edition, The Big Plastics Debate will return with experts from global brands taking to the stage to discuss the innovative plastic-alternatives of the future.

Retail professionals will also be able to visit the Plastic Free Aisle. Hosted by A Plastic Planet, who was responsible for creating the world’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle in Amsterdam last year, the interactive supermarket aisle will be stocked full of the latest plastic-free packaging alternatives which are set to enter supermarket shelves in the future.

The brand-new Innovation Zone will create a focal point for the headline focus of the show – innovation. The new zone, which will play host to the Innovation Stage, has been designed to provide visitors with inspiration from other industries, using principles which can be applied to packaging as the industry continues to develop and evolve. The new zone will also feature The Start-Up Area, designed to give a platform to future packaging designers, and The Innovation Showcase, which will provide further inspiration as it displays the ten most innovative products that can be found on the 2019 showfloor.